You’ve probably heard the saying that hindsight is 20/20 on Monday morning, so just imagine how well I can call ’em two days later on Wednesday. That’s right, it’s time for Wednesday Morning Quarterback, your weekly sports round-up.
Spring approaches; the season of life, new beginnings, flowers, and, most importantly, baseball! After three years the World Baseball Classic returns to centerstage to attempt to create an event as important to the world as the World Cup. This year’s tournament does not disappoint so far.
Pool A
Strangely, the only pool to complete its games, the Asian Pool A finds itself already decided by today. Last Classic champion Japan and Olympic champion Korea make up the finalists progressing to Round 2 with China and Chinese Taipei falling to the wayside in blowouts. Meanwhile, Japan and Korea split their series, but Japan’s run differential of 14-2 gave them higher seeding in Round 2.
Pool B
A strangely composed pool, B consists of Cuba, Australia, Mexico, and South Africa. Who even knew that Australia and South Africa played baseball? The only dominant force so far is the Cuban team, which placed a dark horse second in the last WBC and has yet to lose either of their games so far. Their final opponent of the pool will be either Mexico or Australia, depending on who wins. Cuba edged a win over Australia already, 5-4, but Mexico’s chances look grim since Australia smashed them 17-7 in Game 2 of the pool.
Pool C
The most important pool’s final game will be played tonight at 1830 as a rematch of sorts between Venezuela and the USA. The last game was won by a margin of 8 in Team USA’s favor, so let’s hope America keeps the dream alive of redeeming themselves after last year’s embarrassing loss to Canada. I wouldn’t quite call them the Redeem Team just yet, but let’s hope they at least make it to the finals.
Pool D
The last pool’s seeding will be decided today strangely between Puerto Rico (not strange yet) and the Netherlands. Puerto Rico makes sense and everyone can accept that, but the Netherlands? Fueled by two bizzarely close victories over the Dominican Republic, the Dutch just can’t be ruled out as contenders. No one could have guessed that this bracket would have turned out this way.
Excitement awaits us all when Round 2 starts this Sunday!
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